The Nation Ford Falcons boys’ lacrosse team wasn’t as dominate early, but as the game wore on, they took flight to cruise to a first-round playoff win.
Nation Ford beat Mauldin 18-8 in their opening round 5A playoff match Tuesday and will now play the winner of the Fort Mill-Dorman game being held at Dorman Wednesday, April 19. The second-round game for Nation Ford is scheduled for Saturday, April 22.
The Falcons were led by Josh Ameo, who had five goals, and Owen Ameo, who scored four goals. Josh Ameo helped Nation Ford jump out to a 6-1 lead after the first quarter, but Mauldin would battle back and made a game out of it in the first half.
Nation Ford led 10-4 at the half with Owen Ameo scoring his first two goals in the second quarter to pace the Falcons.
In the second half, it was all Nation Ford for the most part as the Ameo brothers found another gear and scored four of the five goals in the quarter for the Falcons to give them a commanding lead. Will Alvarado scored the second of his two goals in the period as well.
Nation Ford took a 15-5 lead into the fourth quarter. Hunter Nickola, Ryan Kell and Luke Letterhos all scored two goals, with the second of their goals coming in the fourth quarter.
The win puts Nation Ford at 14-3 overall on the season.
April 18 Roundup
Nation Ford
The Nation Ford girls’ lacrosse team lost their first round 5A playoff match at Byrnes falling 19-16. Nation Ford finishes the season at 7-9.
The Falcons softball team beat Rock Hill 8-1 in a Region 3-5A game to improve to 4-3 overall in the region and 6-8 overall on the season. Kailey Alston pitched a complete game allowing just one run on three hits, while striking out 10 without allowing a walk. Emma Skovran went 4-4 with an RBI in the game.
The Nation Ford girls’ soccer team improved to 8-9 overall on the season and 3-6 in Region 3-5A with an 8-0 shutout win over Rock Hill on the road.
Fort Mill
The Fort Mill boys’ soccer team picked up a 1-0 road win at Spring Valley to improve to 5-2 in Region 3-5A and 9-7-1 overall.
The Fort Mill softball team won 13-7 over Spring Valley also on the road. Fort Mill scored eight runs in the fourth inning and had 13 hits in the game. El DesErmia went 4-5 with three RBI to lead at the plate. She also struck out 11 over the course of the game pitching.
Catawba Ridge
The Catawba Ridge girls’ lacrosse team lost in the first round of the 4A state playoffs falling to Christ Church 12-9. The Lady Copperheads finish the season at 7-7 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
